In Torrington, mental health advocates target discrimination

TORRINGTON -- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Commissioner Patricia Rehmer engaged in some intense dialogue Thursday with members of Torrington's Prime Time House, who feel state and local employers struggle with overcoming discrimination against those diagnosed with mental illness.

People with mental illnesses and their supporters advocate for equal opportunities within the workplace, pointing some blame at society and discriminatory employers for a "stigma" that comes with mental illness. The Prime Time House, located on Main Street, aims to knock down those barriers through its transitional employment program, enabling persons with mental illnesses to become part-time, paid, entry-level employees.

The work placements allow people with mental illnesses to become successful workers, possibly attaining a job of their own. During Thursday's discussion, the DMHAS Commissioner said their voices will return to Hartford through her, where "a conversation" on improvements will begin.

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"I know this has been an issue and we haven't done anything about it in recent years," Rehmer said. "I'm going to go back and have a conversation with people about it."

Rehmer's response drew some applause by Prime Time House members, as they brought up issues ranging from health care and prescription drug costs to workplace discrimination. A discrimination too often found in northwest Connecticut.

Prime Time House's transitional employment program features a mere three employers. One of the three resides in Torrington. Lakeville and Waterbury each boast one employer providing the entry-level program opportunity for people with mental illness.

The transitional employment jobs last from six- to nine-months, with placement managers learning the job and then training the Clubhouse member, who has the opportunity to work independently. People with mental illness included in the program work at least minimum wage for 15-25 hours per week.

A Panera Bread branch in Avon previously wrote a letter to Prime Time, "pleased to endorse a worthwhile program," but has since dropped its partnership with the Torrington house. The "excellent resource" may have become the fate of a dire economic climate, or a lack of promotion within the community.

"It's a chance for [members] to gain an entry-level position that might not normally come their way," Robinson said. "We don't want our members to think they're incapable of doing these jobs because they aren't."

A proposed bill within the Connecticut General Assembly allows tax credits to employers hiring individuals receiving services from DMHAS. The last time the bill was updated, according to the legislature's website, was March 15 and the current legislative session ends Wednesday.

Rehmer said she, and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, supports the legislation that "has a chance" to pass.

"It's our job to educate people," Rehmer said to members. "That's why you are so important.

"We have to keep at it and keep at it and keep at it," she added.

Robinson said the Torrington clubhouse is a successful program, but more opportunities for its members seeking employment would be better. The employment stepping stone begins through programs like transitional employment, although there's a lack of interested businesses.

"The struggling economy is probably a big reason," she said. "Also, the stigma that comes with people with mental illnesses hurts. They might be nervous about that."

And that discrimination is exactly what the advocates, members and employees of Prime Time House intend on fixing.